Page 56 of The Last Goodbye

Jesus. My chest tightened at the sight of her.

“Hey yourself.” She smiled as she stood in the new restaurant, the row of windows behind her looking out on the lake. “We’re officially done with demo, and everything’s been cleaned out.”

“It’s looking great.” I’d met her over there yesterday, and there was still some cleanup to do, but it wasn’t all that different from how it looked right now. Which left me wondering why she was calling. “Are you doing all right?”

She nodded. “Yes. Did you make it to New York?”

“I did. Kind of funny that I’m in your hometown, and you’re in mine, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s quiet here with everyone gone.”

Something was obviously on her mind.

“I’m sure it is. You can go to Bennett’s and have dinner there. You know they all love you over there, right?”

She chuckled. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about you being at the graduation, and I felt like I should call and tell you the second thing from the list the other day at the restaurant that I’ve been withholding from you.”

“Ahhh…you’re going to give me another one, huh?” I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. “It’s going to be hard to top being the best chef in the world.”

Her head tipped back in a fit of laughter. “I recall saying that you were the best chef I’ve ever met. The world is a big place, Bass Bennett.”

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

“I was just going to say that I think it’s really amazing how you care about your sister. I remembered you telling me early on when we first met that the restaurant was something that had provided a different life for you and for Jovi, and I just don’t think there are many men out there who would make their sibling a priority the way you have.” She shrugged, her voice apprehensive, as if she didn’t know if she was overstepping. I’d shared a lot more with her than I typically shared with a woman, especially one I hadn’t known for very long.

“Well, you managed to top the chef compliment. Because being a good brother is one of the few things that I’d put ahead of being a good chef. Thank you.”

“Sure. Are you excited to see her walk across the stage and get her diploma tomorrow?” she asked as she moved around the space, turning the screen so I could see how clean it was.

Unfortunately, I preferred the other view. The one with her face.

“I am.” I didn’t know what it was about Briar that made it easy to just say whatever the fuck was on my mind. “She thinks my mom is going to show up tonight to dinner, and tomorrow to graduation, and I just don’t see that happening, so I’m worried about how that will affect her.”

“I get it.” She turned the screen back so I could see her again, and then she chewed on her bottom lip as if she was contemplating her next words. “My dad was supposed to be at my undergrad graduation, and he canceled at the last minute for a work thing. But I still walked, and still held my head high, and your sister will do the same. Because she has you there, and you’ve always been there for her.”

And who the fuck was there for Briar at her graduation?

“I can’t believe he didn’t show up. He has the means to be there. Hell, he could have chartered a private jet and come for a few hours.”

“Listen, I quickly realized that my father wasn’t going to be a parent like my mother was. The hits don’t come as hard when you’re prepared for them. Your mother has a track record of not showing up, so trust me: Jovi is more prepared than you think she is. She’ll be fine. She has you. She has her friends. Remember that.”

“Thank you. I will.” I wanted to say so much more, but I couldn’t find the words.

“All right. Have fun. I need to go, the flooring guy just walked in. Talk soon.” She ended the call abruptly, and I doubted anyone was there. I’d noticed that with her. Whenever we’d have these deep conversations, she’d always find a way to end them abruptly.

I understood it, because going deep was not my thing, either.

But I appreciated the call.

Because for whatever reason, when Briar Sinclair gave me a compliment, it made me feel like the king of the fucking world.

And I hadn’t felt that way in a long time—if ever.

I took a quick shower, thoughts of Briar flooding my mind, and I shamelessly wrapped my hand around my cock, desperate for relief.

I stroked it a few times, thinking about those plump lips painted in pink gloss. The hints of gold in her honey-brown eyes. The way she looked when she laughed. The way I longed to run my lips down the column of her dainty neck.

I imagined her down on her knees, taking me in her sweet mouth.